Preparing for my CareerJack Gong OL-73

My Goal

• My goal is to become a software programmer and take a job in the IT industries.

• I’m want to work for an innovative and open-minded company and perhaps persuade my personal goals.

Efforts• In order to achieve my career targets, I should start making

plans for grade 11 and 12 so that I can be more prepared to go into university and studying in the field of Computer Science

• I need to set up “SMART Goals” for myself and take things one at a time. Like what we learnt in this course, goals are a great motivation for us to start working for our dreams.

• I plan to exercise both my critical thinking skills and my ability to comprehend coding while participating in beneficial activities that will help me become a programmer.

Academics• Studying computer science needs good background in math to

understand the algorithmic involved.• I plan to complete Pre-Calculus 11, 12, and Calculus 12. AP

Calculus would be a great challenge to gain a more-in depth knowledge of math.

• Completing other subjects like English, Social Studies, Physics, and PE would also be my aim. This will help me in selecting an post-high school program in Computer science.

“Learn how to learn”• Companies, when hiring from school, check your

understanding of tools and your ability with basic technics, but - most important - test your capability in rapidly learning new things and "capture the work" as it is needed.

• By completing different rigorous courses, besides gaining knowledge in that field, I can also get better at learning strategies – how to take notes, what tools are great to use, when to capture the main points of one person’s speech.

• I think the ultimate takeaway of studying at high school is the way to learn. Employers definitely weigh these skills over textbook knowledge.

Community Service• Volunteering can help me develop a sense for serving and

helping the community, but more importantly, it can train me to work collaboratively with my peers, to work as a team and not only as an individual.

• Professional programmers have to work with others. It's not just a matter of good knowledge of tools (like languages, IDEs etc.) but also of techniques, methods and idioms.

Coding• The core of computer science is using code. It would certainly

benefit me if I had some basic knowledge and skills on coding.

• In fact, I had already taught myself a bit of C, which is a programming language.

• I plan to learn more about computers and programming by participating in online lessons and projects (https://sourceforge.net/). I would also communicate online with people that are experienced about instructions on studying computer programming.

Clubs and Activities• In addition to knowledge of multiple programming languages,

computer programmers must be detail-oriented. Being a critical thinker is essential, as there are usually multiple ways to approach a programming problem, some more efficient or elegant than others.

• There are also many chances provided by our school to engage in activities which train me to become a better thinker.

• Model United Nations, Computer Science Club, Environmental Club, Principal’s Advisory Council, and Pinetree Post are all the activities I look forward to take part in.

Conclusion

I hope to prepare for university and employment by participating in different activities and working hard in academics for my junior and senior years.

References• http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/computer-programmer/

• http://study.com/computer_programmer.html

• http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/127359/whats-the-best-place-for-a-high-school-programmer-to-get-his-work-noticed